While there’s much discussion around what makes an ERP software good or bad, few take into consideration the design/user-interface part of things. To give that aspect of ERP gravitas, it helps to remember that even the best ERP software is only as good as the people using it. And if the users are unable to make the most of the software’s functionalities because of its poor user interface, the software fails to serve its purpose.

A significant marker of success in an ERP implementation is how well your employees understand the new software. A complex user interface makes it cumbersome for users to use the new software, which can potentially lead to delays and expensive mistakes for your organization. That’s not all. An ERP software with a well-designed user interface can significantly cut down on training time.

Here are the four characteristics to look for, from a UI perspective, while choosing a new ERP software (or upgrading).

1. Intuitiveness
An intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate the software on their own, without the need to rely heavily on user guides. A well-designed user interface will get users to explore on their own and navigate to solutions quickly. This will bring confidence which will lead to dependence on the software, and your adoption rates will soar!

2. Minimal design
All functionalities and commands should be laid out to make them visible and accessible without creating clutter on screen. Some ERP software uses colour coding to make it easy for users to find important information. While all the vital information is necessary, good design will help you provide it without overcrowding the user’s screen. Look at fonts, colours and the positioning of things while assessing good ERP interface design.

3. Configurability
Employees are different in the way they handle software. Ideally, ERP software should allow users to set their own preferences and configure their personal screen to their liking. Configurability is also important because users from different departments within an organization have different needs, and their dashboards need to match them.

4. Responsiveness
Cloud-based ERP software can be accessed from anywhere if your organization allows it. This means you’ll have employees logging in from their smartphones, tablets and laptops. Your ERP user interface needs to be automatically compatible to the screen dimensions of the device it is running on. This is challenging for many ERP software.
A layout that looks and works perfectly on a laptop screen may become difficult to work on when running on a smartphone. So, make sure you check how responsive an ERP software is while running on different screen sizes and resolutions.

A user interface has done its job when it is easy for an employee to accomplish a task with ease and finesse. To learn more about how an ERP user interface can enhance your organization’s operations, please call PSI ERP at 1-866-277-4447 or drop us an email at info@psierp.com and we’d be happy to help.

We believe good business software must be built on the business it serves. So we align our systems to the proven processes our customers have already developed to make their business successful and profitable.